Our family has embarked on virtual travels to various countries and regions. To explore these countries and their cultures, we have followed along with the festivals, cooked and eaten traditional foods, learned of traditional handicrafts with hands on exploration, along with many activities to immerse ourselves. Chronicled here are some of these activities.

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Sunday, February 10, 2013

Buddha's Delight

For new year's day, we madeBuddha's Delight. This vegetarian stir fry is traditionally eaten on the first day of the new year.

Some of the ingredients could only be found in our local grocery, such as chinese black mushrooms (dried), ginkgo nuts, dried bean thread and lily sprouts.

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The dried bean thread was by far the strangest ingredient. It comes in dry sheets that need to be soaked in hot water for some time. Even hydrated, the texture is unusual - similar to rubber fabric.

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Many recipes I came across called for lily sprouts, which as it turns out, is the same as Enoki mushrooms. I had purchased both, not knowing they were one and the same.

Above are the main ingredients, along with mung bean noodles and the sauce. Had I properly managed my time, I would have had all ingredients cut ahead of time, because on New Year's day it is taboo to cut anything, for fear of cutting your new year good luck. For the thinly sliced carrots, I used "carrot slaw" - finely sliced carrots, broccoli and cabbage.

Elle and I really enjoyed this, though Pea and Hubby weren't fans of the varied textures.